Rick King (center) became an SOIA softball coach when he learned of the opportunity through Sammons Financial Group.
The Special Olympics Iowa State Softball Tournament has been sponsored by Sammons Financial Group since 2010. The company not only donates money to keep the event going, but lines the softball fields with volunteers each summer.
One of those volunteers loved the event so much, he became a coach for one of the Link Associates team. Rick King is a process improvement consultant for Sammons and has coached softball and baseball for 15 years.
“The facilities at the Prairie Ridge Sports Complex are a great match for our growing tournament and needs of our athletes,” said SOIA CEO Gary Harms. “It is our mission to provide training and athletic competition opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities regardless of their ability level. Not only will we be able to host more games for our athletes and Unified Sports partners, but we will finally have the space needed to host events for athletes who compete in individual skills competitions like our softball throw and batting events.”
Special Olympics Iowa athletes and law enforcement officials are being showcased on the 44-ounce cups at Casey’s General Stores throughout the state. The cups will be available in stores from Memorial Day through Labor Day with a portion of the proceeds from each Casey’s Cup sold going to SOIA.